Toni,
Just an ID is fine, in fact that is all that they asked for.
CKR,
I could not find an answer to your questions. Your best bet is to contract SWO directly and ask them
Here is what to expect when you go to BG/SW:
There is a special area set up to process the America Heros. Make sure you get to the park early. We were early and waited for the parking lot to open. Let's see BG opened at 10:00 and they opened the parking lot a little befor 9:30. We didn't get into the park until almost 9:50. It takes a while to process. They will first ask you whether you are police, fire, EMS or military. They the American Hero fills out the corresponding sheet. It's then that they ask you for an ID and ask how many guest tickets you will need. DH said I need three tickets, one for my wife and two kids. They never asked to see my ID or anything. FYI, I do have a small badge charm on my necklace, so I don't know if that had anything to do with it. After the sheet is filled out, DH was told to go stand in a line for processing. There is a portable trailer set up, where they take your information, take your picture and give you an admission pass/ID which is plastic and they give you a packet of information along with guest tickets. Family is asked to wait and does not stand in line. In the packet is a lanyard. They would like you to wear the plastic ID which states "American Hero". DH did not want to wear his (like that was a big surprise) so he plopped it over my head. No big deal. I can guarantee that NOBODY thought that I was on the job.
After that we went into the park. Even though it was not supposed to open until 10:00 Montu was already up and running and we got right on.
So, allow yourselves some extra time to be processed. We were one of the first there and it still took about 15 to 20 minutes. The funny thing is that the ID said it was good for BG only. I wonder if DH would have to go through the same process at SWO.
They were checking your bags as you entered the park (sort-of). I could have walked right in, but I shoved my backback under the nose of one of the security guards. Maybe I wasn't high risk because of DH, I don't know.
We had fun. Not crowded walked on to most rides. The biggest wait was about 25 minutes for Gwanzi and that was only becuase they had one coaster going for Lion and one coaster going for Tiger. When we went back later and they had two online for each one, it was almost walk on.
Rhino Rally's water portion was closed down, but they didn't tell you until you were on the ride, so we wasted about 15-20 minutes for the 5 minute land portion. This ride bothered me because there weren't that many barriers between the animals and the land rovers.
All day all DH and I could think was, this is not Disney. But again, we really enjoyed the coasters and Kumba is still our favorite.
